The City of Corner Brook is already taking steps to shut down the Civic Centre in advance of a potential labour disruption.

On-ice activities have been suspended but things like craft fairs and the walking track are still on.

The facility hosts many activities including hockey, figure skating and special events but if CUPE Local 4386 goes on strike next week, Mayor Linda Chaisson says it has a legal and operational responsibility to ensure that it can be safely operated or safely shut down prior to a work stoppage.

The mayor says it’s not a step that Corner Brook wishes to take as reaching a collective agreement remains the priority.

Mayor Chaisson says its offer to CUPE is fair and competitive, amounting to 12 per cent over four years.

Conversely, she says the union wants 22 per cent over four years.

Talks, with the help of a conciliator, are scheduled to resume Monday.

The mayor notes that the Civic Centre has specialized technical systems that cannot simply be turned off and left unattended, therefore a shutdown involves careful planning.